For the write caching experts

I guess we are in the state of total confusion - LOL

I have run my vertex2 with and without. Benchmarks may show a difference, but none that I was able to observe.

And, according to the OCZ forums- disable is better and the vertex2 does have a cache. FWIW

And, according to the OCZ forums- disable is better and the vertex2 does have a cache. FWIW

Hmm, what is the purpose of the cache then? Very confusing.

WHS, the answer to that question is above my pay grade. Unlike you, I don't understand the technical aspects of write cashing although I do know basically what it is. I would provide links for you if you could find anything on OCZ's forum. As I recall, it has a very small write cache but it does have one. The guy who said to disable write cache said after disabling it you had to wait a minimum of 24 hours and restart in excess of 10 times before you start noticing the difference. I could never notice, maybe benchmarks could tell, but real world performance is quite often different than benchmark ratings - in my experience.

essenbe, well we are shedding some light on the subject. But there are still a lot of open questions and a fair amount of contradictions. Maybe others have more insights. The subject is interesting and challenges my old brain. LOL

From what you quoted from the OCZ forum, I would not give this guy a lot of credibility - sounds too obscure.

WHS, I do agree with that. That is my problem with OCZ forums - it is difficult to find specific information and you never know who to believe.

I was having trouble with my computer and posted once simply to ask if there was a diagnostic program to test the Vertex2 smart attributes to see if it was operating correctly. I got responses to increase Vcore voltage to increase the northbridge voltage. I just don't go there anymore.

essenbe said:

WHS, the answer to that question is above my pay grade. Unlike you, I don't understand the technical aspects of write cashing although I do know basically what it is. I would provide links for you if you could find anything on OCZ's forum. As I recall, it has a very small write cache but it does have one. The guy who said to disable write cache said after disabling it you had to wait a minimum of 24 hours and restart in excess of 10 times before you start noticing the difference. I could never notice, maybe benchmarks could tell, but real world performance is quite often different than benchmark ratings - in my experience.

Ah, I understand - "Cashing" is better than "Caching" and it's more fun.
There ARE answers to all of this. From an enginerring standpoint, personally, I would think that an SSD would not have as great a need for a write cache as a std. HDD would. But it could still benefit.

Hating to say it, but the Winsat tests that were posted with Write Caching enabled and disabled need be performed again with BOTH the "flush write cache buffer" option turned on and off.
Oh, isnt it FUN

essenbe said:

WHS, I do agree with that. That is my problem with OCZ forums - it is difficult to find specific information and you never know who to believe.

I was having trouble with my computer and posted once simply to ask if there was a diagnostic program to test the Vertex2 smart attributes to see if it was operating correctly. I got responses to increase Vcore voltage to increase the northbridge voltage. I just don't go there anymore.

Hi whs and essenbe - I am very, very happy with my Vertex 2, but I am not AT ALL impressed with OCZ's tech support. I have spoken to them several times and they dont impress me whatsoever. They dont seem to really care, and some of them are totally "clueless". But thier drives are really wonderful.

So we have to make do with what we have. Terrible that they may have suggested to you essenbe, that you need to change the Vcore voltage on your CPU because of OCZ drive problems. That makes NO SENSE whatsoever - The Vcore voltage applied to your CPU has nothing directly to do with the operation of any OCV drive.

"flush write cache buffer" option turned on and off.

Dumb question - How do you do that?

PS: my experience with the OCZ technicians was pretty good. Though that was 2 years ago. They were persons of few words though.

My only question is (and this is not meant to be sarcastic) If in practical use, you can tell no difference, what difference does it really make. Mine is on and my WEI is 7.7 . I'm not sure I can improve on that.